Image
This shows the tā i te kawa or kawanga whare (dawn ceremony) for the opening of Pipitea marae in Wellington, in 1980. Traditionally a dawn ceremony is held to dedicate a house and lift its tapu. The marae kawa (protocols) are finalised and agreed to by the tangata whenua before the marae is opened.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PA-Group-00685)
Reference: EP/1980/1751/19A
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.